Excitement is building in the UK this week, as we prepare for the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations which are taking place over the coming weekend: Union Jack flags and bunting are being hung in the streets, cakes are being baked, barbecues dusted off and public areas tidied up.

Various parties and picnics are planned across the country, while in London 1000 boats are getting themselves ‘shipshape’ in preparation for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday June 3rd, when the Queen will lead one of the largest flotillas ever seen on The River Thames.

The Pageant will pass under all 13 Central London river crossings, from Battersea Bridge to Tower Bridge, and will take at least 75 minutes to pass any given point. Let’s hope the Queen is wearing sunscreen! It’s going to be a long day on the water.

With the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games just seven weeks away, this event – probably the biggest street and river party in the nation’s history – will be a huge test for London’s local residents, transport systems, London Traffic Police and Metropolitan Police. Thanks to a scorching weather forecast for the weekend and the two public holidays following the event, there’s something for everyone to celebrate.

To read more about the pageant take a look at: http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org